Running back/linebacker Emorej Lynk had a monster first half with 140 yards rushing and two touchdowns, and a 45-yard touchdown pass as the Trojans took a 28-0 lead. But he was injured on the final play of the first half.

Lynk returned to the Trojans’ sideline late in the third quarter on crutches with his right knee wrapped in ice and watched his teammates secure an emotional victory.

“We told the guys at halftime, ‘This isn’t the first time we’ve had some adversity this year,” Kennedy coach Joe Panuke said. “It wasn’t gonna be easy, (but) we’re not just a one-man team.”

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West Salem's Simon Thompson (1) huddles with his team following the Sheldon vs. West Salem football game at West Salem High School on Friday, Sep. 21, 2018. Sheldon won the game 56-21. ANNA REED / Statesman Journal

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MVC runner-up West Salem, whose brutal non-conference schedule included 6A championship game finalists Lake Oswego and Sheldon, came on strong at the end of the season. The Titans defeated Southridge in the first round of the state playoffs before taking defending state champion Clackamas to the wire in a 24-14 second-round defeat.

Silverton overcame an early season injury to quarterback Levi Nielsen, who returned late in the campaign, to earn a share of the Mid-Willamette Conference crown by beating West Albany in the final regular season game on the Bulldogs' home field. West Albany won the rematch in the second round of the 5A state playoffs.

Not to be overlooked is St. Paul.

The Buckaroos, who advanced to the 2A semifinals last season, made a smooth transition back to eight-man football in 1A and advanced to the state championship game. St Paul’s unbeaten season came to an end with a 38-32 loss to Dufur, which won its fourth consecutive state title.

All-Mid-Valley football — offense

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West Salem's Simon Thompson(Photo11: ANNA REED / Statesman Journal)

SIMON THOMPSON

Position: Quarterback

School: West Salem

Year: Senior

Accomplishments: Mountain Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Year. Thompson threw for 2,403 yards, 30 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also rushed for 571 yards and five touchdowns.

McNary's Junior Walling(Photo11: Special to the Statesman Journal, Special to the Statesman Journal)

JUNIOR WALLING

Position: Running back

School: McNary

Year: Junior

Accomplishments: First-team all-Mountain Valley Conference. He rushed for 1,005 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also had 91 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.

Accomplishments: First-team all-Mountain Valley Conference. Gould had 1,009 receiving yards and 16 receiving touchdowns. He also rushed for 612 yards and six touchdowns, and added two touchdown returns on special teams.

All-Mid-Valley football — defense

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West Salem's Anthony Pugh.(Photo11: ANNA REED / Statesman Journal)

ANTHONY PUGH

Position: Defensive lineman

School: West Salem

Year: Sophomore

Accomplishments: First-team all-Mountain Valley Conference selection. He had 43 tackles, 10.5 tackles for a loss, four sacks, five quarterback contacts, one pass deflected, one fumble recovery and one blocked kick.

Sprague's Jacob Luna(Photo11: Courtesy of Sprague High School)

JACOB LUNA

Position: Defensive lineman

School: Sprague

Year: Senior

Accomplishments: First-team all-Mountain Valley Conference selection. He had 18 tackles, three tackles for a loss and one sack.

Silverton's Ben Willis(Photo11: Courtesy of Silverton High School)

BEN WILLIS

Position: Defensive lineman

School: Silverton

Year: Senior

Accomplishments: First-team all-Mid-Willamette Conference selection. He had 96 tackles, 20 tackles for a loss, 10 sacks and two punt blocks.

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West Salem's Alex Hurlburt(Photo11: Pete Martini / Statesman Journal)

ALEX HURLBURT

Position: Linebacker

School: West Salem

Year: Senior

Accomplishments: Mountain Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He had 117 tackles, 21.5 tackles for a loss, three sacks, eight quarterback contacts, one pass broken up, six pass deflections and five fumbles caused.

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Sprague's Landon Davis(Photo11: ANNA REED / Statesman Journal)

LANDON DAVIS

Position: Linebacker

School: Sprague

Year: Senior

Accomplishments: First-team all-Mountain Valley Conference selection. He had 57 tackles, 12 tackles for a loss, four sacks, one interception and one fumble recovery.

Josh Raynak, South Salem High School(Photo11: Special to the Statesman Journal)

JOSH RAYNAK

Position: Linebacker

School: South Salem

Year: Senior

Accomplishments: First-team all-Mountain Valley Conference selection. He had 120 tackles, eight tackles for a loss, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.